Two-stage, pressure augmented inflator assembly

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for augmenting the pressure of a gas stored in a container and for releasing the stored gas on command. First and second ignitable, pressure augmenting compositions are stored within the container, the first composition being ignited under a first predetermined set of circumstances and both compositions being simultaneously or sequentially ignited under a second predetermined set of circumstances. The container has positioned therein a movable shuttle valve which is activated directly by the pressure produced by the first pressure augmenting composition without relying upon a rupturable member or a separate firing mechanism. The shuttle valve has incorporated therein a mechanism whereby the stored gas is permitted to escape in the event of a build-up of excessive pressure within the container.

United States Patent Allemann 5] Sept. 16, 1975 [54] ggfggg i gfigAUGMENTED FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 823,829 11/1959 United Kingdom222/5 [75] Inventor: James G. Allemann, Santa Ana,

Calif- Primary Examiner-Robert B. Reeves [73] Assignee: Aerojet-GeneralCorporation, El Assistant Examiner-Charles Marmot Monte, Calm Attorney,Agent, or FirmT. Reid Anderson; Edward O. Ansell [22] Filed: Nov. 20,1972 [211 App]. No.: 307,861

[52] US. Cl 222/3; 222/5 [51] Int. Cl. B67b 7/24 [58] Field of Search222/3, 5, 541; 280/150 AB;

[5 7] ABSTRACT Apparatus for augmenting the pressure of a gas stored ina container and for releasing the stored gas on command. First andsecond ignitable, pressure augmenting compositions are stored within thecontainer, the first composition being ignited under a firstpredetermined set of circumstances and both compositions being si- [56]References Cited multaneously or sequentially ignited under a secondUNTED STATES PATENTS predetermined set of circumstances. The containerhas positioned therein a movable shuttle valve which S wheeler et isactivated directly by the pressure produced by the l7424 151964Hebenstreit 222,3 first pressure augmenting composition without relying1420'572 1/1969 Bisland AB X upon a rupturable member or a separatefiring mecha- 3 495 675 2/1970 Hass et 51. 180/91 nism- The shuttlevalve has incorporated therein 3,582,107 6/1971 Goetz 280/150 ABmechanism whereby thestored gas is permitted to 3,689,l05 9/I972 Matsuiet al... 222/3 X cape in the event of a build-up of excessive pressure3,690,695 9/1972 Jones, Sr 222/5 X within the container. 3,713,6671/1973 Blanchard... 222/3 X 3,774,807 11/1973 Keathley et al 222 3 18Clam, 4 Drawing Figures f/ I I7 15' a w g I :Q g 1; .45 I w r 7 a 1/ :7I! J A 7/ :9 f4 f4 7 g A? 4% TWO-STAGE, PRESSURE AUGMENTED 'INFLATORASSEMBLY BACKC BROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the-Invention.

The present invention relates to a two-stage, pressure augmentedinflator assembly and, more particularly, to a two-stage apparatus foraugmenting the pressure of a stored gas media and to a valve assemblyfor automatically releasing the stored gas media upon activation of thepressure augmenting apparatus.

' '2. Description of the Prior Art.

Many situations exist which require the use of inflatable bag-typemembers. Life rafts and life jackets are common examples. Anotherexample which has become common in the last decade is flotation devicesfor preventing sinking of space capsules'retuming to the earth for waterlandings and other ocean-going vessels in distress. Signal balloonswhich are operated automatically or manually to locate crash sites ofairplanes is another example. Astill further use of inflatable bagtypemembers is in crash restraint systems for minimizing injuries to vehiclepassengers during accidents. Such crash restraint systems typicallyoperate to re lease the contents of a pressure vessel into an inflatableconfinement located in front of a vehicle passenger for thepurpose ofsafely decelerating and preventing seriousinjury-to the passenger duringan accident.

In each of these situations, it becomes necessary to store the bag-typemember in a deflated condition and to provide apparatus for inflatingthe member when necessary. Inflation may be manual or may be auto maticand controlled by various known types of gravity accelerometers, inertiasensing devices, and other mechanical sensors. In any event, whetherinflation is actuated manually or automatically, rapid actuation isusually required. This is especially the case in crash restraint systemswhere from the time the onset of an accident is sensed to the time thatthe bag must beinflated is in the order of milliseconds.

In order to fill an inflatable bag-type member rapidly and to the volumenecessary in each of the situations discussed above, it is necessary tostore a suitable gas media at relatively high pressures in a pressurevessel or container. Typically, an explosive device in the container isactuated when inflation is desired, which explosive device ruptures asealing device or actuates a valve permitting the pressurized gas toescape into the inflatable member to cause the inflation thereof.

Since the volume of gas required and the rapidity with which it must beavailable often makes the storage of gas at high pressure aloneinadequate, it has generally been proposed to provide apparatus withinthe pressure container for augmenting the pressure of the gas at themoment of use. Thus, it has been suggested to position within thepressure vessel a suitable enclosure for receiving a gas generatingcomposition. Apparatus is then provided for igniting the gas generatingcomposition, the gas resulting therefrom increasing the mass of the gasstored in the container, thereby assisting in the inflation of thebag-type member.

In co-pending US. Pat. application Ser. No. 308,172, filed concurrentlyherewith, entitled Heat Augmented lnflator Assembly, by Thomas J. Glad,and assigned to Aerojet-General Corporation, the assignee of the presentapplication, it is proposed to position within the enclosure a heatgenerating composition. Apparatus is then provided for igniting thecomposition, the heat resulting therefrom increasing the pressure of thegas stored in the container thereby assisting in the inflation of thebag-type member.

In all of these prior systems, the gas or heat generator has providedonly a single mode of operation. Thus, in a crash restraint system, forexample, whether a crash occurs at a speed of 10 miles per hour or at aspeed of sixty miles per hour, the inflatable confinement is inflated atthe same rate and to the same volume even though a substantially lowervolume would be more ap propriate and safer during low speed collisions.Furthermore, in a high speed collision, it is generally necessary tomaintain the pressure augmentation process for a substantially longertime than is necessary in a low speed collision.

Still further, prior pressure augmented inflator assemblies have used arupturable diaphragm for sealing the output of the pressure vessel,which diaphragm is designed to break upon sensing an over pressurizationcondition in the pressure vessel. However, the use of such rupturablemembers creates difficult and expensive manufacturing procedures tocritically adjust the breaking point of the member so that it does notbreak under normal use but always breaks prior to rupture of thepressure vessel itself. To solve this problem, it has been proposed touse an explosive actuated valve which is activated not by the pressurewithin the vessel but independently by a firing squib. However, prioruses of such a valve have generally required a separate firing deviceand a separate relief device which is automatically activated in theevent of excessive pressures in the vessel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, theseproblems are solved by providing a two-stage, pressure augmentedinflator assembly which permits instantaneous inflation of a bag-typemember'and may be actuated manually or automatically. The presentinflator assembly is a two-stage device which provides differentoperating characteristics in low mode and high mode operatingconditions. Thus, in a crash restraint system, for example, only a firstpressure augmentor is activated for low speed conditions and first andsecond pressure augmentors are activated for high speed collisions so asto increase the rate, volume, and time duration of infla-- tion of theinflatable confinement. The present inflator assembly incorporates anovel shuttle valve which is activated directly by, the pressureproduced by the pressure augmenting stages without relying on arupturable diaphragm. Furthermore, the valve incorporates directlytherein a high pressure relief device which automatically activates thevalve if an over pressurization condition occurs.

OBJECTS It is therfore an object of the present invention to provide atwostage, pressure augmented inflator assembly.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a two-stageapparatus for augmenting the pressure of a stored gas media and to avalve assembly for automatically releasing the stored gas media uponactivation of the pressure augmenting apparatus.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide aninflator assembly having different modes of operation for differentoperating conditions.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a two-stage,pressure augmented inflator assembly including a valve which isactivated directly by the pressure produced by the inflator assembly.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide atwo-stage, pressure augmented inflator assembly which eliminates thereliance on rupturable members designed to respond to overpressurization in a pressure vessels Another object of the presentinvention is the provision of an inflator assembly including a valvehaving incorporated therein a high pressure relief mechanism.

Still other objects, features, and attendant advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent to those skilled inthe art from a readingof the following detailed description of the preferred embodimentconstructed in accordance therewith, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings wherein like numerals designate like parts of theseveral figures and wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. Us a longitudinal sectional viewtaken along the axis ofa two-stage, pressure augmented inflator assemblyconstructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention,prior to ignition of eitherof the augmentor stages;

FIG. 2 is a partial longitudinal sectional view similar to FIG. 1 buttaken through a plane rotated 90 relative to the plane of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial longitudinal sectional view similar to FIG. 1, afterignition of the first augmentor stage and activation of the shuttlevalve; and

FIG. 4 is a partial longitudinal sectional view similar to FIG. 2, afterignition of the second augmentor stage and activation of the shuttlevalve.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawingsand, more particularly, to FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown an inflatorassembly, generally designated 10, constructed in accordance with theteachings of the present invention. In all figures, all parts arecylindrical except as stated otherwise.

Inflator assembly is designed for use with a container 11 for storing asuitable nontoxic, non-noxious gas under pressure. The gas may be air,argon, nitro gen, or the like. Container 1 1 includes an outlet fitting12 including an axial bore 13 defining an outlet passage for container1 1. The portion of outlet fitting l2 externa] to container 11 isexternally threaded, at 14, to permit connection to a suitable manifoldfor conducting the stored gas to an inflatable member. The neck ofcontainer 11 is internally threaded, at 15, to receive the externalthreads 16 on the inner portion of outlet fitting 12. Outlet fitting 12includes a circumferential collar 17 which abuts against the end ofcontainer 11 and which is hermetically sealed thereto, at 18, by weldingor brazing.

Inflator assembly 10 includes openable means, generally designated 20,for sealing outlet passage 13 to prevent gas fiow from container 1 1therethrough. According to the preferred embodiment of the invention,sealing means 20 includes an elongated, hollow housing 21,

one end 26 of which extends partially into axial bore 13 in fitting 12and which may be welded therein to provide a hermetic seal. Mountedwithin housing 21 is a slidable shuttle valve 22. Shuttle valve 22includes first and second ends 23 and 24 having outside diametersapproximately equal to the inside diameters of valve housing 21 and acentral portion 25 of substantially reduced diameter. End 23 of shuttlevalve 22 is normally aligned adjacent end 26 of valve housing 21 and isconnected along the circumference thereof to the inner surface ofhousing 21, at 27, to provide a predictable shear area. The connectionbetween end 23 of valve 22 and end 26 of housing 21 may be provided byundercutting or by a controlled welding or brazing. In any event,interface 27 is designed to provide a known shear area which will alwaysassure valve opening at a pressure threshold well below the burstpressure of container 1 1.

Valve housing 21 has a plurality of radial passages 28 extendingtherethrough, in the central portion thereof, passages 28 functioning asoutlet orifices to permit fluid communication between the gas incontainer 11 and the interior of valve housing 21. Thus, when shear area27 is broken, the gas within container 11 is permitted to escape viaoutlet orifices or ports 28 and outlet passage 13.

Valve housing 21 further has a plurality of radial passages 29 extendingtherethrough, which are positioned to intersect end 24 of shuttle valve22. Passages or ports 29 function as outlet nozzles for the first stagepressure augmentor, as will be explained more fully hereinafter. End 24of shuttle valve 22 normally prevents fluid communication between theinterior of housing 21 and container 11 via passages 29.

Inflator assembly 10 further comprises a housing 30 in which ispositioned first and second stages, generally designated 31 and 32,respectively, for augmenting the pressure of the gas stored in container11. Housing 30 is an elongated, hollow, generally cylindrical memberhaving an internally threaded collar 33 at one end thereof for engagingthe external threads 34 on valve housing 21. Positioned within housing30 is a spacer 35 which separates augmentor stages 31 and 32. Positionedon opposite sides of spacer 35 are retainers 36 and 37 having hollowcentral cavities for receiving electrical firing squibs 38 and 39,respectively. Spacer 35 has a hole 40 extending laterally therethroughand housing 30 has a slot 41 in one side thereof, slot 41 extending fromthe end of collar 33 to a point beyond the axis of hole 40 in spacer 35.Spacer 35 further has axial holes 42 and 43 therein which connect withthe central cavities in retainers 36 and 37, respectively. Thus, one endof a first pair of electrical leads 44 may be extended through slot 41in housing 30 and holes 40 and 42 in spacer 35 for connection to squib38 and one end of a second pair of electrical leads 45 may be extendedthrough slot 41 in housing 30 and holes 40 and 43 in spacer 35 forconnection to squib 39. Slot 41 is provided to permit assembly of stages31 and 32 in housing 30. Leads 44 and 45 may be held together andprotected by a sleeve 46, as shown.

The other ends of leads 44 and 45 are connected to one ends of first andsecond pairs of terminals 47 and 48, respectively, which are imbeddedwithin a suitable non-conductive material 49 made integral with anexternally threaded plug 50. Base 51 of container 1 1 may have aninternally threaded hole 52 which engages the external threads on plug50. After plug 50 is positioned within hole 52, the structure may bewelded, at 53, to provide a hermetic seal. The other ends of terminals47 and 48 are adapted to be connected to electrical leads 55 and 56,respectively, for connection to separate sources of electrical firingsignals, as will be explained more fully hereinafter.

Retainers 36 and 37 have recesses 60 and 61, respec tively, therein forreceipt of ignitable pressure augmenting compositions 62 and 63,respectively. According to the present invention, compositions 62 and 63may be any suitable ignitable composition for augmenting the pressure ofthe gas in container 1 1 when ignited. Thus, compositions 62 and 63 maybe gas generating materials known to those skilled in the art or may bea heat generating composition as described in the beforementionedcopending application of Thomas J. Glad. As described inthatapplication, compositions 62 and 63 may be in the form of discshapedgrains which are stacked side-by-side and held in that position inrecesses 60 and 61 by springs 64 and 65, respectively. Spring 64 ispositioned between composition 62 and end 24 of shuttle valve 22 whereasspring 65 is positioned between composition 63 and end 66 of generatorhousing 30.

A spacer-sleeve 67 is positioned within valve housing 21 and has acollar 68 at one end thereof which abuts against the end of valvehousing 21. Spacer-sleeve 67 provides a seat for squib retainer 36.Furthermore, the inside surface of housing 30 is provided with ashoulder 69 which provides a seat for squib retainer 37. Thus, thetightening of housing 30 onto housing 21 firmly positions retainers 36and 37 in contact with the opposite sides of spacer 35, between sleeve67 and shoulder 69. Thereafter, spring 64 firmly retains composition 62against recess 60 in squib retainer 36 and spring 65 firmly retainscomposition 63 against recess 61 in squib retainer 37.

End 66 of generator housing 30 has a plurality of outlet nozzles orports 70 extending therethrough, the number and size of nozzles 29 and70 being commensurate with the volume of vessel 11, the stored gas pressure, and the desired blow-downcharacteristics of inflator assembly 10.Nozzles 70 are normally sealed by a rupturable diaphragm 71 retainedwithin end 66 of housing 30, for reasons which will appear more fullyhereinafter.

Referring now to FIG. 2, inflator assembly includes a hole 80 whichextends through spacer 35 and retainers 36 and 37, thereby connectingrecess 60 in retainer 36 to recess 61 in retainer 37. A pin 81 extendsthrough the portion of hole 80 in spacer 35 and partially through theportions of hole 80 in retainers 36 and 37 to prevent rotation of onepart relative to the other and to insure constant alignment between theportions of hole 80 in parts 35, 36, and 37. In addition, the portion ofhole 80 in retainer 36 has an enlarged portion 82 in contact with recess60, in which is positioned a disc 83. Thus, disc 83 may be moved towardcomposition 62 but may not be moved in the direction of composition 63,for reasons which will appear more fully hereinafter.

In operation, FIGS. 1 and 2 show the condition of in flator assembly 10prior to ignition of either of stages 31 or 32. Application of anelectrical firing signal, through firing leads 44, to first stage squib38 causes squib 38 initiation. When squib 38 ignites, the heat therefrompasses through the central cavity in retainer 36 to ignite the grains ofcomposition 62 nearby, which results in the entire exterior surface ofcomposition 62 being engulfed in flame. Ignition of composition 62results in an immediate pressure build-up in the chamber definedessentially by spacer-sleeve 67. The increased pressure is preventedfrom leaving this chamber since nozzles 29 are substantially blocked byend 24 of shuttle valve 22. Thus, the increased pressure acts entirelyupon end 24 of valve 22, thrusting the valve axially by shearing thebrazed or undercut interface at 27. This condition is shown in FIG. 3.Valve 22 moves axially until end 24 contacts an abutment centrallylocated in valve housing 21.

In the position shown in FIG. 3, valve 22 allows the stored gas media incontainer 11 to escape through outlet orifices 28, around end 23 ofvalve 22, and through outlet passage 13. In addition, the combustionproducts from composition 62 are permitted to escape into ves sel 11through nozzles 29. The escaping combustion products of first stagepressure augmentor 31 raise the temperature and/or mass of the storedgas media, which results in pressure augmentation.

Under certain operating conditions, it may be desirable to initiatefirst stage 31 only. Under these circumstances, diaphragm 71 preventsthe heat and pressure build-up within vessel 11 from causing sympatheticignition of second state composition 63. However, under other operatingconditions, the pressure augmentation provided by first stage 31 may beinsufficient to insure the required energy for inflation and to sustaininflation for a sufficient amount of time. Thus, in a crash re straintsystem, for example, first stage augmentor 31 may be adequate forproviding the required energy for the required amount of time for lowspeed collisions but may not provide the required energy for asufficient period of time in the case of high speed collisions. Thus,second stage augmentor 32 is provided and composition 63 may beinitiated simultaneously with composition 62 or after a predeterminedtime interval. That is, application of an electrical firing signal,through leads 45, to second stage squib 39 causes squib 39 initiationand subsequent ignition of second stage composition 63. Upon secondstage ignition, the resultant pressure build-up against end 66 ofhousing 30 ruptures diaphragm 71, allowing the combustion products ofcomposition 63 to escaped through nozzles 70. The escaping combustionproducts of second stage composition 63 raise the temperature and/ormass of the stored gas media in container 11, which results in pressureaugmentation.

It should be particularly noted that the pressure within container 11 isalways applied to end 23 of valve 22 via outlet orifices 28. Thus, valve22 is directly responsive to any excessive internal pressures in container 11. Thus, in the event the pressure in container 11 exceeds apredetermined threshold value, as may occur, for example, if container11 is surrounded by fire, the undercut or brazed interface 27 of valve22 will shear and valve 22 will open, allowing the contents of container11 to escape through the. normal functional flowpath. However, it shouldbe emphasized that these are the only circumstances under which valve 22is activated by sensing an over pressurization condition in vessel 11.Under normal conditions, valve 22 is activated directly from thepressure generated by ignition of composition 62. Inflator assembly 10also incorporates a safety mechanism to insure direct activation ofvalve 22 in the event of a malfunction of first stage squib 38. Moresecifically, and with reference to FIGS. 2 and 4, hole 80, incombination with disc 83, operates as a one way pyrotechnic check valve.In other words, assume a malfunction causes first stage squib 38 not tofire when an electrical signal is applied to leads 44, but that secondstage squib 39 does fire when a firing signal is applied to leads 45.When this occurs, the pressure build-up in container 11 caused by secondstate 32 would, more than likely, cause the undercut or brazed interface27 of valve 22 to shear, thereby opening valve 22. However, inflatorassembly causes initiation of valve 22 directly. That is, the heat andpressure resulting from second stage ignition is conducted via hole 80and pin 81 to disc 83, blowing disc 83 off and permitting sympatheticignition of first stage composition 62. Thereafter, the pressurebuild-up around composition 62, acting upon end 24 of valve 22, actuatesvalve 22 to the open position by shearing the brazed or undercutinterface 27, as described hereinbefore. Thus, valve 22 is actuated bygenerator pressure rather than over pressure in container 11.

On the other hand, first stage 31 ignition does not cause ignition ofsecond stage 32 since hole 82 only permits movement of disc 83 in onedirection. In other words, the pressure surrounding composition 62 holdsdisc 83 in hole 82 rather than firing it therefrom as in the case ofsecond stage ignition.

It can therefore be seen that in accordance with the present invention,there is provided a two-stage, pressure augmented inflator assembly 10which permits instantaneous inflation of a bag-type member and may beactuated manually or automatically. Inflator assembly 10 is a two-stagedevice which provides different operating characteristics underdifferent operating circumstances. Thus, in a crash restraint system,for example, first stage pressure augmentor 31 is activated for lowspeed collisions and second stage pressure augmentor 32 is activatedeither simultaneously or sequentially for high speed collisions so as toincrease the rate, volume, and time duration of inflation of theinflatable confinement. Inflator assembly 10 incorporates a novelshuttle valve 21 which is activated directly by the pressure produced byfirst stage pressure augmentor 31 without relying on a rupturable memberintended to respond to excessive internal pressures in container 11.Valve 21 also serves as the high pressure safety release which isautomatically opened if an over pressurization condition occurs.Furthermore, malfunction of first stage augmentor 31 and subsequentignition of second stage augmentor 32 causes automatic first stageignition and direct activation of shuttle valve 22, again withoutrelying on excessive internal pressures in container 11.

While the invention has been described with respect to a preferredphysical embodiment constructed in accordance therewith, it will beapparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications andimprovements may be made without departing from the scope and spirit ofthe invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the invention isnot to be limited by the specific illustrative embodiment, but only bythe scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In an inflator assembly of the type including container means forstoring a gas under pressure, said container means having an outletpassage extending there through; openable means for sealing said outletpassage to prevent gas flow from said container means through saidoutlet passage; enclosure means in said container means for storingmeans for augmenting the pressure of said stored gas; and means forigniting said pressure augmenting means and simultaneously opening saidsealing means to permit said gas to flow from said container meansthrough said outlet passage, the improvement comprising wherein:

said pressure augmenting means comprises first and second means forseparately and independently augmenting the pressure of said stored gas;said igniting means comprises first and second means for separatelyigniting said first and second pressure augmenting means, respectively;said openable means for sealing said outlet passage comprises anelongated, generally cylindrical valve housing, one end of said housingextending partially through said outlet passage in said container meansand being sealed thereto, said housing having an elongated chambertherein for communicating with said outlet passage, said housing havinga first radial passage extending therethrrough, in a central portionthereof, and a second radial passage extending therethrough, in theother end thereof with a slidable shuttle valve means positioned withinsaid chamber in said valve housing, one end of said valve means beingsealed to said one end of said housing, between said first passage andsaid outlet passage, for preventing fluid communication therebetween,the other end of said valve means blocking said second passage throughsaid valve housing; means are provided for connecting one end of saidenclosure means to said other end of said valve housing; said enclosuremeans having a first chamber in said one end thereof in fluidcommunication with said chamber in said valve housing with said firstpressure augmenting means being positioned within said first chamber insaid enclosure means, whereby said pressure generated by said firstaugmenting means is directed against said other end of said valve meansto cause breakage of said seal and movement of said valve means towardsaid one end of said valve housing thereby opening said second passageand permitting fluid communicating between said container means and saidoutlet passage via said first passage; and wherein said enclosure meanshas a second chamber in the other end thereof, said second pressureaugmenting means being positioned within said second chamber in saidenclosure means, with said other end of said second enclosure meanshaving at least a third passage extending therethrough and rupturablediaphragm means for sealing said third passage in said other end of saidenclosure means for preventing sympathetic ignition of said secondaugmenting means upon ignition of said first augmenting means. 2. In aninflator assembly according to claim 1, the improvement furthercomprising:

one way check valve means extending through said enclosure means, fromsaid second chamber therein to said first chamber therein, forautomatically igniting said first pressure augmenting means from thecombustion products generated by said 3. An inflator assemblycomprising; 7 I I container means for storinga gas under pressure, saidfirst and second ignitable means means for connecting the 4. An inflatorassembly comprising:

second pressure augmentingrneans but preventing ignition of saidsecondpressure augmenting means from the combustion productsgenerated by saidfirst pressure augmenting means.

container means having an outlet passage extend-. ing therethrough;

openable means for sealing said outlet passage to pre;

vent gasflow from said container means through said outlet passage;

first and second enclosure means for storing pressure augmenting means,each of said enclosure means having at least one endpositioned in said,container means; i v positioned, within said first andsecond enclosuremeans, respectively, for generating heat andlorgas to increase thepres;sure of said stored gas; I j I first and second means forseparatelyigniting said first and second generating means, respectiyely;

an elongated, generally' cylindrical valve housing, one

end of said housing extending partially throughsaid outlet ,passageinsaid container means and being sealed thereto, said housing having anelongated chamber therein for'cornmunicating'with said outlet passage,said housing having a firstradialipassage extending therethrough,adjacent a, central portion thereof, and a second radial passage:extending therethrough, adjacent the other 'end thereof; I i

said openable sealingmeans comprising a slidable shuttle valvemeans-positioned within saidchamber in said valve housing, one end ofsaid valvemeans being sealed to said one end of said housing, be-' tweensaid first passage and said outlet passage, for normally preventingfluid communication therebetween, the other end, of said valvemeansnormally blocking said second passage through said valve4O housing;

means for connecting said one-end of said first enclosure means to saidother end.,of said valve housing for fluid communication therebetween*whereby said heat and/or gas generated by said first generating meansis directed against said other end of said valve means to causebreakingof said seal and movement of said valve means toward said one end ofsaid housing thereby openingsaid second pas sage and permitting fluidcommunication between said container means and saidoutlet passage .via

said firstpassage; k v

other end of ,.said second enclosure means to the other .end ofsaidfirstenclosure means; and 5- i one way check valve means forautomatically igniting container means for storing a gas under pressure,said container means having an outlet passage extending therethrough;

openable means forsealing said outlet passage to pre-.

vent gas flow from said containerrneans through said outlet passage; i

first and second enclosure means forstoring pressure augmenting means,eachof said enclosure means having at leastloneendpositioned in saidcontainer me ns;v Y

ignitable means positioned within said first and second enclosure means,respectively, for generating heat and/or gas to increase the pressure ofsaid stored gas; 1 I v f 'firstand second. means for separ'atelyigniting said first and secondgenerjating means, respectively; anelongated, generally cylindrical valve housing, one end of said hqusingextending partially through said outlet passage in said, container meansand being sealed thereto, said housing having an elongated chambertherein for communicating with said outlet passage, said housing having.afir st radial' passage" extending "therethrough; adjacent a central iportion thereof, and afsecond radial. passage extending th erethroug h,adjacent the other end thereof; I L H 's'aid openable sealing mean'scomprising aslidable shuttle valve rri'eans positionedwithinfsaid'chainber in said valve housing, one end ofs'aidivalv'e meansbeing sealed to said 'bne'emiefsai housing, between said first 'passa gea nd saidfoutlet passage, for normally'preventingfiuidlcommunicatiohther'ebe tween, the other e'iidof said valve means'normally movement ofsaid valve means toward" said one' end -'ofsaid housing thereby openingsaid sec'ond passage and permitting fluid' communication between 1 saidcontainer means'and said outlet passage via said first passage;= f j imeans for connecting the other end of said second enclosure-meansto theother end of saidfirst en- '-closure means, said one e'nd of said secondenclosuremeans having *at least a third passage extenda ingtherethrough; and R 1 'rupturable diaphragm means for sealing said thirdpassage in said oneend of .said second enclosure 1 means for preventingsympathetic ignition of said second generating means upon ignition-ofsaid first generating means. t

5. An inflator assembly accordingto claim 4 further comprising:

a plurality of said second and third-passages, the number and size ofsaid passages being selected on the basis of the desired rate ofincrease of pressure in said container means. t

6 An infiator assembly comprising:

Container means for storing a gas under pressure, said container means.having an.- opening extending therethrough adjacent one end thereof; anelongated, generally cylindrical valve housing positioned within saidcontainer means, oneend .of said va ve. ;housing extending partiallyinto said opening in said container-meansand being sealed thereto,said-housing having an elongated chamber therein influidcpmmunicationwith said opening in said container means, said housing having a firstvalve means to -caii se"breaking' of said seal and radial passagetherethrough, adjacent a central portion thereof, and a second radialpassage therethrough, adjacent the other end thereof;

slidable shuttle valve means positioned within said chamber in saidvalve housing, one end of said valve means being sealed to said one endof said housing, between said first passage and said opening in saidcontainer means for preventing fluid communication therebetween, therebypreventing gas flow from said container means, the other end of saidvalve means blocking said second passage through said valve housing;

a second elongated, generally cylindrical housing positioned within saidcontainer means, one end of said second housing being connected to saidother end of said valve housing, said, second housing having a chamberin said one end thereof in fluid communication with said chamber in saidvalve housing;

ignitable means positioned within said chamber in said second housingfor augmenting the pressure of said stored gas within said containermeans;

. explodable squib means positioned within said second housing, adjacentsaid pressure augmenting means, for ignitionthereof, the pressuregenerated by said augmenting, means: being directed against said otherend of said valve means to cause breaking of said seal and movement ofsaid valve means toward said one end of said valve housing; and

said valve housing including means for stopping said movement of saidvalve means with the other end thereof between said first and secondpassages whereby the combustion products of said pressure augmentingmeans pass-via said second passage in said valve housing into saidcontainer means to augment the pressure of the gas therein and saidstored gas passes out of said container means through said firstpassage, around said one end of said valve means, and through saidopening in said container means.

7. An inflator assembly according to claim 6 wherein the inside diameterof said valve housing at said one end thereof is smaller than the insidediameter at the other end thereof, wherein the outside diameters of saidends of said valve means are approximately equal to the adjacent insidediameters of said valve housing, and wherein said means for stoppingsaid movement of said valve means comprises a shoulder between saidareas of different diameters in said valve housing.

8. An inflator assembly according to claim 6 wherein said valve means issealed to said one end of said housing by welding or brazing theperiphery of said one end of said valve means to the inner surface ofsaid valve housing.

9. An inflator assembly according to claim 6 wherein said valve housinghas a plurality of said first radial passages therethrough, adjacentsaid central portion thereof, the number and size of said first passagesbeing selected to determine the rate of escape of said stored gas fromsaid container means.

10. An inflator assembly according to claim 6 wherein said valve housinghas a plurality of said second radial passages therethrough, adjacentsaid other end thereof, the number and size of said second passagesdetermining the rate of increase of pressure in said container means.

11. An inflator assembly according to claim 6 wherein said valve meansis sealed to said one end of said housing by undercutting the areabetween the periphery of said one end of said valve means and the innersurface of said valve housing.

12. In an inflator assembly of the type utilizing a high pressure gasvessel having an interiorally-disposed elongated subassembly carried incantilever support from the vessel outlet with the subassembly having afirst position closing the vessel outlet and a second position openingthe vessel to gas flow therefrom, said elongated subassembly having anaxially-extending cylindrical chamber opening into the vessel outlet,with a radial port through the chamber wall connecting the chamberinterior to the vessel space surrounding the subassembly and with apressure-movable valve member within the cylindrical chamber closing thevessel to gas flow in said first position and with a pressure augmentingmeans carried by the subassembly in a compartment in fluid communicationwith the unsupported end of the cylindrical chamber and means forigniting the pressure augmenting means to move the valve member to saidsecond position, thus opening the vessel and cylindrical chamber to gasflow, wherein the improvement comprises:

the cylindrical chamber of the elongated subassembly being provided witha first radial port adjacent the supported end of said subassembly and alongitudinally-spaced, second radial port adjacent the unsupported endof said cylindrical chamber;

the pressure-movable valve in said first position having a first end insealed closure with the supported end of the cylindrical chamber, spacedoutwardly from the first radial port, and a second end of slightly lessdiameter than the cylindrical chamber, closing the second radial port inthe first position of the valve with a longitudinally-extending centralportion of reduced dimension connecting the first and second ends of thevalve, said reduced dimension central portion together with the interiorsurfaces of the two valve ends defining a void within the cylindricalchamber which void connects to the vessel space surrounding thesubassembly via the first port; and blocking means for stopping thevalve in itsoutward movement to its second position, where the secondend of the valve is positioned between the first and second radial portsand wherein the,seal of the first end of the valve is broken and saidfirst end is moved outwardly into its second position,

whereby the combustion product of the pressure augmenting means passesvia said second radial passage into the chamber interior surrounding thesubassembly to augment the pressure of the gas therein and the storedgas passes out of the vessel through the first radial passage into thecylindrical chamber and thence, around the unsealed said one end of thevalve means to the exterior of the inflator assembly.

13. An inflator assembly in accordance with claim 12 wherein thepressure augmenting means comprises a first augmenting segment and asecond augmenting segment which two segments are respectively housed ina first section and a spaced second section of the compartment at theunsupported end of the elongated subassembly with the first section ofthe compartment being in fluid communication with the unsupported end ofthe cylindrical chamber and the second section of the compartment havingan outwardly opening third port into the vessel interior with arupturable diaphragm sealing the third port to forestall sympatheticignition of the second augmenting segment upon ignition of said firstaugmenting segment, and a first and second means permitting separateignition of said first and second augmenting segments.

14. An inflator assembly in accordance with claim 13 wherein there is aplurality of both the second and third ports, the number and size ofsaid ports being selected on the basis of the desired rate of increaseof pressure in the vessel with ignition of the first and secondaugmenting segments.

15. An inflator assembly in accordance with claim 13 having a passagewayconnecting the two sections of the pressure augmenting compartment, witha one-way check valve being provided in the connecting passagewaypermitting automatically ignition of the first augmenting segment fromthe heat and/or gas generated by said second augmenting segment butpreventing ignition of said second augmenting segment from the heatand/or gas generated by said first augmenting segment.

16. An inflator assembly in accordance with claim 12 wherein there isprovided a plurality of the second radial ports, the number and size ofsaid openings being selected on the basis of the desired rate ofincrease of pressure in the vessel with ignition of the pressureaugmenting means.

17. An inflator assembly in accordance with claim 12 wherein there isprovided a plurality of the first radial ports, the number and size ofsaid ports being selected to determine the rate of escape of the storedgas from said vessel.

18. An inflator assembly according to claim 12 wherein the first end ofthe pressure-movable valve in said first position is sealed by weldingor brazing the periphery of said first end of the valve to the innersurface of the cylindrical chamber.

1. In an inflator assembly of the type including container means forstoring a gas under pressure, said container means having an outletpassage extending therethrough; openable means for sealing said outletpassage to prevent gas flow from said container means through saidoutlet passage; enclosure means in said container means for storingmeans for augmenting the pressure of said stored gas; and means forigniting said pressure augmenting means and simultaneously opening saidsealing means to permit said gas to flow from said container meansthrough said outlet passage, the improvement comprising wherein: saidpressure augmenting means comprises first and second means forseparately and independently augmenting the pressure of said stored gas;said igniting means comprises first and second means for separatelyigniting said first and second pressure augmenting means, respectively;said openable means for sealing said outlet passage comprises anelongated, generally cylindrical valve housing, one end of said housingextending partially through said outlet passage in said container meansand being sealed thereto, said housing having an elongated chambertherein for communicating with said outlet passage, said housing havinga first radial passage extending therethrrough, in a central portionthereof, and a second radial passage extending therethrough, in theother end thereof with a slidable shuttle valve means positioned withinsaid chamber in said valve housing, one end of said valve means beingsealed to said one end of said housing, between said first passage andsaid outlet passage, for preventing fluid communication therebetween,the other end of said valve means blocking said second passage throughsaid valve housing; means are provided for connecting one end of saidenclosure means to said other end of said valve housing; said enclosuremeans having a first chamber in said one end thereof in fluidcommunication with said chamber in said valve housing with said firstpressure augmenting means being positioned within said first chamber insaid enclosure means, whereby said pressure generated by said firstaugmenting means is directed against said other end of said valve meansto cause breakage of said seal and movement of said valve means towardsaid one end of said valve housing thereby opening said second passageand permitting fluid communicating between said container means and saidoutlet passage via said first passage; and wherein said enclosure meanshas a second chamber in the other end thereof, said second pressureaugmenting means being positioned within said second chamber in saidenclosure means, with said other end of said second enclosure meanshaving at least a third passage extending therethrough and rupturablediaphragm means for sealing said third passage in said other end of saidenclosure means for preventing sympathetic ignition of said secondaugmenting means upon ignition of said first augmenting means.
 2. In aninflator assembly according to claim 1, the improvement furthercomprising: one way check valve means extending through said enclosuremeans, from said second chamber therein to said first chamber therein,for automatically igniting said first pressure augmenting means from thecombustion products generated by said second pressure augmenting meansbut preventing ignition of said second pressure augmenting means fromthe combustion products generated by said first pressure augmentingmeans.
 3. An inflator assembly comprising: container means for storing agas under pressure, said container means having an outlet passageextending therethrough; openable means for sealing said outlet passageto prevent gas flow from said container means through said outletpassage; first and second enclosure means for storing pressureaugmenting means, each of said enclosure means having at least one endpositioned in said container means; first and second ignitable meanspositioned within said first and second enclosure means, respectively,for generating heat and/or gas to increase the pressure of said storedgas; first and second means for separately igniting said first andsecond generating means, respectively; an elongated, generallycylindrical valve housing, one end of said housing extending partiallythrough said outlet passage in said container means and being sealedthereto, said housing having an elongated chamber therein forcommunicating with said outlet passage, said housing having a firstradial passage extending therethrough, adjacent a central portionthereof, and a second radial passage extending therethrough, adjacentthe other end thereof; said openable sealing means comprising a slidableshuttle valve means positioned within said chamber in said valvehousing, one end of said valve means being sealed to said one end ofsaid housing, between said first passage and said outlet passage, fornormally preventing fluid communication therebetween, the other end ofsaid valve means normally blocking said second passage through saidvalve housing; means for connecting said one end of said first enclosuremeans to said other end of said valve housing for fluid communicationtherebetween whereby said heat and/or gas generated by said firstgenerating means is directed against said other end of said valve meansto cause breaking of said seal and movement of said valve means towardsaid one end of said housing thereby opening said second passage andpermitting fluid communication between said container means and saidoutlet passage via said first passage; means for connecting the otherend of said second enclosure means to the other end of said firstenclosure means; and one way check valve means for automaticallyigniting said first generating means from the heat and/or gas generatedby said second generating means but preventing ignition of said secondgenerating means from the heat and/or gas generated by said firstgenerating means.
 4. An inflator assembly comprising: container meansfor storing a gas under pressure, said container means having an outletpassage extending therethrough; openable means for sealing said outletpassage to prevent gas flow from said container means through saidoutlet passage; first and second enclosure means for storing pressureaugmenting means, each of said enclosure means having at least one endpositioned in said container means; first and second ignitable meanspositioned within said first and second enclosure means, respectively,for generating heat and/or gas to increase the pressure of said storedgas; first and second means for separately igniting said first andsecond generating means, respectively; an elongated, generallycylindrical valve housing, one end of said housing extending partiallythrough said outlet passage in said container means and being sealedthereto, said housing having an elongated chamber therein forcommunicating with said outlet passage, said housing having a firstradial passage extending therethrough, adjacent a central portionthereof, and a second radial passage extending therethrough, adjacentthe other end thereof; said openable sealing means comprising a slidableshuttle valve means positioned within said chamber in said valvehousing, one end of said valve means being sealed to said one end ofsaid housing, between said first passage and said outlet passage, fornormally preventing fluid communication therebetween, the other end ofsaid valve means normally blocking said second passage through saidvalve housing; means for connecting said one end of said first enclosuremeans to said other end of said valve housing for fluid communicationtherebetween whereby said heat and/or gas generated by said firstgenerating means is directed against said other end of said valve meansto cause breaking of said seal and movement of said valve means towardsaid one end of said housing thereby opening said second passage andpermitting fluid communication between said container means and saidoutlet passage via said first passage; means for connecting the otherend of said second enclosure means to the other end of said firstenclosure means, said one end of said second enclosure means having atleast a third passage extending therethrough; and rupturable diaphragmmeans for sealing said third passage in said one end of said secondenclosure means for preventing sympathetic ignition of said secondgenerating means upon ignition of said first generating means.
 5. Aninflator assembly according to claim 4 further comprising: a pluralityof said second and third passages, the number and size of said passagesbeing selected on the basis of the desired rate of increase of pressurein said container means.
 6. An inflator assembly comprising: containermeans for storing a gas under pressure, said container means having anopening extending therethrough adjacent one end thereof; an elongated,generally cylindrical valve housing positioned within said containermeans, one end of said valve housing extending partially into saidopening in said container means and being sealed thereto, said housinghaving an elongated chamber therein in fluid communication with saidopening in said container means, said housing having a first radialpassage therethrough, adjacent a central portion thereof, and a secondradial passage therethrough, adjacent the other end thereof; slidableshuttle valve means positioned within said chamber in said valvehousing, one end of said valve means being sealed to said one end ofsaid housing, between said first passage and said opening in saidcontainer means for preventing fluid communication therebetween, therebypreventing gas flow from said container means, the other end of saidvalve means blocking said second passage through said valve housing; asecond elongated, generally cylindrical housing positioned within saidcontainer means, one end of said second housing being connected to saidother end of said valve housing, said second housing having a chamber insaid one end thereof in fluid communication with said chamber in saidvalve housing; ignitable means positioned within said chamber in saidsecond housing for augmenting the pressure of said stored gas withinsaid container means; explodable squib means positioned within saidsecond housing, adjacent said pressure augmenting means, for ignitionthereof, the pressure generated by said augmenting means being directedagainst said other end of said valve means To cause breaking of saidseal and movement of said valve means toward said one end of said valvehousing; and said valve housing including means for stopping saidmovement of said valve means with the other end thereof between saidfirst and second passages whereby the combustion products of saidpressure augmenting means pass via said second passage in said valvehousing into said container means to augment the pressure of the gastherein and said stored gas passes out of said container means throughsaid first passage, around said one end of said valve means, and throughsaid opening in said container means.
 7. An inflator assembly accordingto claim 6 wherein the inside diameter of said valve housing at said oneend thereof is smaller than the inside diameter at the other endthereof, wherein the outside diameters of said ends of said valve meansare approximately equal to the adjacent inside diameters of said valvehousing, and wherein said means for stopping said movement of said valvemeans comprises a shoulder between said areas of different diameters insaid valve housing.
 8. An inflator assembly according to claim 6 whereinsaid valve means is sealed to said one end of said housing by welding orbrazing the periphery of said one end of said valve means to the innersurface of said valve housing.
 9. An inflator assembly according toclaim 6 wherein said valve housing has a plurality of said first radialpassages therethrough, adjacent said central portion thereof, the numberand size of said first passages being selected to determine the rate ofescape of said stored gas from said container means.
 10. An inflatorassembly according to claim 6 wherein said valve housing has a pluralityof said second radial passages therethrough, adjacent said other endthereof, the number and size of said second passages determining therate of increase of pressure in said container means.
 11. An inflatorassembly according to claim 6 wherein said valve means is sealed to saidone end of said housing by undercutting the area between the peripheryof said one end of said valve means and the inner surface of said valvehousing.
 12. In an inflator assembly of the type utilizing a highpressure gas vessel having an interiorally-disposed elongatedsubassembly carried in cantilever support from the vessel outlet withthe subassembly having a first position closing the vessel outlet and asecond position opening the vessel to gas flow therefrom, said elongatedsubassembly having an axially-extending cylindrical chamber opening intothe vessel outlet, with a radial port through the chamber wallconnecting the chamber interior to the vessel space surrounding thesubassembly and with a pressuremovable valve member within thecylindrical chamber closing the vessel to gas flow in said firstposition and with a pressure augmenting means carried by the subassemblyin a compartment in fluid communication with the unsupported end of thecylindrical chamber and means for igniting the pressure augmenting meansto move the valve member to said second position, thus opening thevessel and cylindrical chamber to gas flow, wherein the improvementcomprises: the cylindrical chamber of the elongated subassembly beingprovided with a first radial port adjacent the supported end of saidsubassembly and a longitudinally-spaced, second radial port adjacent theunsupported end of said cylindrical chamber; the pressure-movable valvein said first position having a first end in sealed closure with thesupported end of the cylindrical chamber, spaced outwardly from thefirst radial port, and a second end of slightly less diameter than thecylindrical chamber, closing the second radial port in the firstposition of the valve with a longitudinally-extending central portion ofreduced dimension connecting the first and second ends of the valve,said reduced dimension central portion together with the interiorsurfaces of the two valve ends defining a void within the cylindricalchamber whicH void connects to the vessel space surrounding thesubassembly via the first port; and a blocking means for stopping thevalve in its outward movement to its second position, where the secondend of the valve is positioned between the first and second radial portsand wherein the seal of the first end of the valve is broken and saidfirst end is moved outwardly into its second position, whereby thecombustion product of the pressure augmenting means passes via saidsecond radial passage into the chamber interior surrounding thesubassembly to augment the pressure of the gas therein and the storedgas passes out of the vessel through the first radial passage into thecylindrical chamber and thence, around the unsealed said one end of thevalve means to the exterior of the inflator assembly.
 13. An inflatorassembly in accordance with claim 12 wherein the pressure augmentingmeans comprises a first augmenting segment and a second augmentingsegment which two segments are respectively housed in a first sectionand a spaced second section of the compartment at the unsupported end ofthe elongated subassembly with the first section of the compartmentbeing in fluid communication with the unsupported end of the cylindricalchamber and the second section of the compartment having an outwardlyopening third port into the vessel interior with a rupturable diaphragmsealing the third port to forestall sympathetic ignition of the secondaugmenting segment upon ignition of said first augmenting segment, and afirst and second means permitting separate ignition of said first andsecond augmenting segments.
 14. An inflator assembly in accordance withclaim 13 wherein there is a plurality of both the second and thirdports, the number and size of said ports being selected on the basis ofthe desired rate of increase of pressure in the vessel with ignition ofthe first and second augmenting segments.
 15. An inflator assembly inaccordance with claim 13 having a passageway connecting the two sectionsof the pressure augmenting compartment, with a one-way check valve beingprovided in the connecting passageway permitting automatically ignitionof the first augmenting segment from the heat and/or gas generated bysaid second augmenting segment but preventing ignition of said secondaugmenting segment from the heat and/or gas generated by said firstaugmenting segment.
 16. An inflator assembly in accordance with claim 12wherein there is provided a plurality of the second radial ports, thenumber and size of said openings being selected on the basis of thedesired rate of increase of pressure in the vessel with ignition of thepressure augmenting means.
 17. An inflator assembly in accordance withclaim 12 wherein there is provided a plurality of the first radialports, the number and size of said ports being selected to determine therate of escape of the stored gas from said vessel.
 18. An inflatorassembly according to claim 12 wherein the first end of thepressure-movable valve in said first position is sealed by welding orbrazing the periphery of said first end of the valve to the innersurface of the cylindrical chamber.